Feeding device



F. MACCOY FEEDING DEVICE Sept. 11, 1934.

Filed Aug. 28, 1933 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Patented Sept. 11, 1934 PATENT OFFICE UNITED STATES 3 Claims.

, This invention pertains to a novel feeding device of a type particularly adapted for infants.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a sanitary non-breakable and nonv rolling feeding device for infants which may be used successfully when filled with milk or emulsified vegetables.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a feeding device including a glass body or receptacle of tubular form and caps adapted to be received on opposite ends of said body, one of the caps being provided with an apertured nipple through which the contents of said body may be removed and the other cap being provided with a valve to permit air to enter the body to displace the liquid removed through the nipple. The caps are constructed of flexible material so that they may be easily removed to facilitate cleaning the body or receptacle by directing a stream of water therethrough and so that the body may be dried by drawing a towel therethrough.

Another object of the present invention is to provide caps for a glass feeding device which caps are constructed with integral lugs arranged to assist assembling the caps on the feeding ,device and to facilitate their removal therefrom, to prevent rolling and to provide a cushion to prevent breakage of the feeding device as a result of its falling into contact with a solid surface.-

Another object of the present invention is to provide a feeding device with caps, one of the caps being provided with a nipple and the other cap being provided with a valve facilitating withdrawal of the contents of said feeding device through the nipple, said valve being of nonmetallic construction and the caps being reversible for sanitary purposes.

With the above and other ends in view the invention consists in the matters hereinafter set forth and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims reference being had to the accompanying drawing in which,

Figure 1 is a side elevation;

Fig. 2 is a vertical cross section;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary vertical cross section illustrating another position of the valve;

Fig. 4 is a cross section taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a top plan view, and

Fig. 6 is a bottom plan view.

Like characters of reference are employed throughout to designate corresponding parts.

The numeral 1 designates a body or receptacle of substantially cylindrical form. on the open ends of the body 1 are formed ribs or flanges 2. On the top of the body is provided a flexible or elastic cap 3 having an apertured nipple 4. The cap 3 is provided with an internal bead 5 adapted to engage beneath the rib or flange 2 on the top of the body 1 to retain the cap on the body. A circular series of spaced ears 6 are formed integral with the cap 3 and extend outwardly radially therefrom. The cars 6 are reinforced with integral flexible webs '1.

On the lower end of the body 1 is received a cap 8 having an internal bead 9 adapted to engage the body 1 above the rib or flange 2 to prevent removal of the cap from the body. The [0 cap 8 is provided with a circular series of integral flexible ears 10 reinforced by integral flexible webs 11. The cap 8 is of double cup construction and has an integral sleeve-like portion 12 supporting the bottom wall 13 at a point disposed within the body 1. In other words the bottom wall 13 of the cap 8 is'received in the body 1 and spaced upwardly from the lower end thereof. The bottom wall 13 is substantially dome-shaped and is provided with a concavity 14 in its upper surface. The upper surface of the wall 13 is provided with a slit 15 "which extends from the top of the wall to a point adjacent the bottom of the wall but it does not at any point extend entirely through the wall. In the lower surface of the wall 13 is provided a recess 16 and a port 17 entering from the recess 16 communicates with the slit 15. The wall immediately surrounding the slit 15 is formed of reduced thickness as designated at 13.

The caps,3 and 8 are both formed of flexible or elastic material and may be conveniently grasped by the ears 6 or 10 in order to assemble them on the ends of the body 1. When so mounted on the ends of the body 1 the ears 6 and 10 provide finger pieces facilitating their removal, they provide means for preventing the feeding device from rolling, and they provide a cushion to prevent breakage of the glass body 1 in the event that the feeding device should fall into contact with a hard surface.

The lower cap 8 having the bottom wall 13 provided with the concavity 14 has an action similar to that of a diaphragm and as illustrated in Fig. 2, the slit 15 is normally closed. when in this position the upper cap 3 may be removed and the body 1 fllled with food, which food might be milk or vegetables in a fine mashed state. The cap 3 is then replaced and when the food is removed from the body 1 through the nipple 4 the end wall 13 is deformed and assumes a position substantially as shown in Fig. 3 wherein the side walls of the slit' 15 become spaced apart to uncover the end of the port 17 and accordingly air may enter the body 1 through the port 17 and slit 15 to facilitate withdrawal of the contents of the through the nipple.

when it is desired to clean the device the caps 3 and 8 may be easily removed by grasping the ears 6 and-10. As a result of the flexibility of the caps they may be reversed and thoroughly cleansed by washing. The body 1 being of tubular construction may be easily cleaned by directing a stream of water therethrough and may be dried by drawing a towel through the same.

It becomes apparent therefore that the present invention provides a feeding device for infants which is sanitary in that it may be easily washed, which is constructed of non-corrosive parts inasmuch as no metal valve is employed and which is non-rolling and non-breakable.

- In order to adapt the bottle for feeding cereals or emulsified vegetables the nipple 4 is provided with a slit 4' instead of a small perforation such as is, ordinarily provided. The slit 4' is of horse shoe shape or angular shape so as to provide an opening and a flap closing the opening.-

As illustrated in Fig. 5 itis possible to form the valve invthe top cap 5 in which case! the cap is formed with a dome shaped projection 25 and a slit 2:; is formed in the opposite side of the wall of the cap. A port 27 enters the outside of the dome to communicate with the slit 26 to function in the manner set forth above.-

The wall immediately surrounding the projection 25 is reduced in thickness as indicated at 28.

Although a specific embodiment of the present invention has been illustrated and described it is to be understoodthat various changes may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention and such changes are contemplated.

. What I claim is:

1. A valve cap for a feeding device, said cap having a normally closed slit in the upper surface of the bottom wall thereof, and a port entering from the lower surface of said bottom wall and communicating with said slit.

' 2. A cap for a feeding device having a flexible bottom wall, a slit formed in the top of said bottom wall, said bottom wall being formed with a cavity normally holding said slit closed and a port entering through the bottom of said wall and communicating with said slit.

3. A cap for a feeding device having a flexible wall, a slit entering from one side of said wall, and a port entering from the other side of said wall and communicating with said slit, a portion of said wall being reduced in thickness in the region surrounding said wall.

' FRANK MACCOY. 

